Why Did Priyanka Gandhi Criticize PM Modi’s Delayed Visit to Manipur?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Priyanka Gandhi emphasizes the need for timely leadership.
- The delay in PM Modi's visit to Manipur is seen as a failure of responsibility.
- The Congress party is focusing on accountability from the government.
- Historical context highlights the tradition of leaders visiting crisis areas.
- Upcoming elections may influence political dynamics in the region.
Wayanad, Sep 13 (NationPress) Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “excessively postponed” decision to visit the violence-stricken region of Manipur. She emphasized that his visit should have occurred “much sooner,” instead of waiting two years after the initial unrest began in the state.
While speaking to reporters in Wayanad, Priyanka expressed that she felt “pleased” the Prime Minister finally decided to visit, yet described the delay as “deeply regrettable.”
“I am glad that he has decided after two years that it’s worth his visiting. He should have visited much longer before,” she commented.
Priyanka has been active in her constituency since Friday and plans to engage with the community over the next eight days, exploring every corner of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, which she has represented since November of last year.
She accused PM Modi of neglecting his duty to provide comfort and reassurance to the victims of the ongoing violence, claiming that the delay has only intensified the suffering of the local populace.
“He has allowed what is happening there to happen for so long, so many people to get killed, and so many people to go through so much strife before he has decided to visit,” she asserted.
The Congress General Secretary noted that such hesitance is “not in line with the tradition of Prime Ministers in India.”
She highlighted that, regardless of their political background, leaders since the time of Independence have prioritized visiting areas affected by turmoil or tragedy.
“That has been the tradition since Independence. So, he is fulfilling it after two years, I think he should have thought of it before,” Priyanka added.
The Congress party has persistently criticized the Modi government for its management of the ethnic violence and law-and-order issues in Manipur.
The opposition has also alleged that the BJP-led administration has ignored the hardships of displaced individuals in relief camps and has failed to restore normalcy.
Priyanka’s statements come at a strategic time as the Congress aims to increase pressure on the ruling government by keeping Manipur in the spotlight ahead of upcoming elections.
Her pointed remarks are sure to amplify the clamor for greater accountability from the Centre regarding its response to the situation in the northeastern state.